August 2020 News Archive
- August 31, 2020
John R. Lewis College: Providing the tools to stand up against injustice and create change
John R. Lewis College students take on social justice issues while pushing for positive growth and progress in
- August 31, 2020
Rising to the Eco-Challenge
Two Slug alumni were part of a grueling, 11-day, 416-mile adventure race called Eco-Challenge Fiji, caught in a 10-episode series streaming on Amazon
- August 31, 2020
History professor Eric Porter examines musical improvisation as a response to crisis
"Playing for Keeps: Improvisation in the Aftermath" is an exploration of the various ways that musical improvisation can be used as a method for responding to crisis and
- August 31, 2020
Phased campus reopening underway, emergency order lifted
The UC Santa Cruz emergency order is lifted and the campus is in the midst of a phased effort to recover from the CZU Wildfire.
- August 31, 2020
Next phase of building resumption - additional buildings cleared to open
Though the wildfire continues to burn in our county, it is now at 39% containment due to the heroic efforts of firefighters from across our region and state. Based on the latest status, I am lifting my Emergency Declaration that was issued on August 20th.
- August 29, 2020
Next phase of building resumption - additional buildings cleared to open
I am pleased to report that another phase of buildings has been cleared to resume operations, and I am modifying further the campus emergency declaration.
- August 28, 2020
New vacation payout program for those impacted by the wildfires
In addition to the support services already outlined in prior communications, we are launching a new program. The UC Santa Cruz Employee Emergency Accrued Vacation Payout Program is a temporary program for eligible UCSC employees who are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the summer 2020 wildfires in California.
- August 28, 2020
Adapting our fall housing plans
Chancellor Cynthia Larive update
- August 27, 2020
UCSC partners in institute to explore the role of AI in education
The NSF AI Institute for Student-AI Teaming envisions intelligent computers in classrooms working side-by-side with groups of
- August 27, 2020
Resumption of Operations at Coastal Science Campus, Westside Research Park; emergency declaration modified
Based on the latest conditions, I am modifying further the campus emergency declaration. Effective immediately, the Coastal Science Campus and Westside Research Park can resume operations that were in effect on Aug. 20, 2020, prior to campus declaration.
- August 26, 2020
New observations of black hole devouring a star reveal rapid disk formation
The first clear confirmation of accretion disk formation in a tidal disruption event without x-ray emissions supports theoretical
- August 26, 2020
Unauthorized survey regarding UC’s flu vaccination policy
An outside market research firm recently sent a survey about UC’s flu vaccination policy to a number of UC faculty and staff (including UCSC) with the subject line “Share your opinion on the UC Flu Vaccine requirement.”
- August 26, 2020
Re-opening employee housing, rest of campus remains closed
Chancellor Cynthia Larive has amended the Aug. 20 emergency declaration so that employees who live at Laureate Court, Hagar Court, Ranch View Terrace, Hagar Meadow, and Cardiff Terrace can return to their homes tonight. The rest of the residential campus remains closed, as do the Coastal Science Campus and Westside Research Park.
- August 25, 2020
Threatened by wildfire, UC Santa Cruz campus shows it is 'Slug Strong'
Fast thinking and teamwork are keeping the UC Santa Cruz campus community safe during the devastating Lightning Complex fires as staff across campus coordinate in evacuating, relocating, and
- August 25, 2020
SHR Employee Hotline and Resources
As our community continues to grapple with the ongoing wildfire threat to our campus, homes, and physical safety, we are providing additional resources to staff for the weeks ahead. Through displacement and emergency, it is critical for our staff community to have resources by phone or computer at their fingertips.
- August 25, 2020
CZU Lightning Complex fire: How to give help, how to get help
This past week has seen many incredible displays of kindness, perseverance and resilience. We both spent time on campus with our teams as they managed the emergency evacuation.
- August 24, 2020
Annual campus asbestos notice
Many facilities at the University of California, Santa Cruz, contain asbestos in the building materials used in construction. The Campus Asbestos Notice contains general information about asbestos found on campus and is required by law to be provided to all employees.
- August 24, 2020
Marine mammals show off their training in evacuation from Long Marine Lab
All of the resident marine mammals at UCSC’s Long Marine Laboratory are safe and well after a successful evacuation
- August 23, 2020
Servicios de apoyo para empleados impactados por los incendios forestales y evacuaciones
Todo miembro de la facultad y del personal que lea esto ha sido impactado de distintas maneras por los incendios forestales actualmente activos en nuestra región. Algunos de Uds. han sido evacuados, otros de Uds. están albergando a individuos que han sido desplazados, y lamentablemente otros han perdido sus hogares en los incendios.
- August 23, 2020
Support services for employees impacted by the wildfires and evacuations
Every faculty and staff member reading this has been impacted in different ways by the wildfires that are active in our region. Some of you have evacuated, some of you are hosting individuals who have been displaced, and sadly some of you have lost your homes in the fires.
- August 23, 2020
Santa Cruz County wildfires 8% contained, potential bad weather approaching the region
The wildfire impacting Santa Cruz County is now 8% contained thanks to the valiant efforts of first responders from CAL FIRE and across the country. The fire remains approximately one mile north of campus and has not traveled further south at this point.
- August 22, 2020
Weekend UCSC Fire Update
Through the tireless work of CAL FIRE and first responders, the CZU Lightning Complex Fire that threatens our campus is now 5% contained. CAL FIRE created fire breaks from Highway 1 to Highway 9 to help decrease the threat of fire to additional areas, including UC Santa Cruz and the city of Santa Cruz.
- August 22, 2020
Research buildings saved as wildfire sweeps across Big Creek Natural Reserve
Fire preparedness and hard work by fast-moving fire crews and UC Santa Cruz staff is being credited for saving research and residential buildings at the Landels-Hill Big Creek
- August 21, 2020
Update on campus response to wildfire
The wildfires continue to impact Santa Cruz County. There are approximately 57,000 acres involved, but we are now at 2% containment thanks to the amazing efforts of fire crews.
- August 21, 2020
UCSC Fire Update
As of this morning, the fire is about a mile north of upper campus. There is no fire activity on campus or in the City of Santa Cruz, and we hope that all our activities have been taken in an abundance of caution.
- August 21, 2020
You are not alone - we are with you
Whether you have been evacuated from your residence on campus, are living near campus, or are watching or hearing about the fires in the Santa Cruz area from some distance away, I know that many of you are scared right now. You have concerns and might not be sure where to turn or what to do next. You are not alone.
- August 20, 2020
Support for employee needs emerging from the current wildfires
As the members of our Slug community continue to deal with the wildfires and evacuations, we want to outline some of the resources available to you.
- August 20, 2020
EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION: Evacuation order--Emergency Declaration
Based on the chancellor’s emergency declaration, ALL employees and students living in campus housing must evacuate. Everyone must immediately leave the UC Santa Cruz residential campus and be prepared to not return for at least two weeks. UC Santa Cruz Police Officers will be going door to door to evacuate those remaining on campus.
- August 20, 2020
UC Santa Cruz Declaration of Emergency
UC Santa Cruz is impacted by the wildfires burning in Santa Cruz County and elsewhere in Northern California. Residents of the mountain communities surrounding UC Santa Cruz have been forced to evacuate their homes in the face of the fast-moving Lightning Complex Fire ignited a few days ago by a dry lightning storm.
- August 20, 2020
Evacuation Warning
This is not an evacuation order, but rather a warning to be prepared to evacuate.
- August 20, 2020
Initiating the next steps in our fire response - beginning next stages of voluntary evacuations
As the conditions around Santa Cruz county worsen and the fires impacting our region continue to grow, we are now initiating several critical steps in our fire response.
- August 20, 2020
Mandatory research cessation and information about securing research materials
I am now directing that all non-essential research operations at all Santa Cruz locations cease immediately. Please shut down all equipment as you would normally do for winter curtailment, secure chemicals in fire-safe storage, and secure lab notebooks and other irreplaceable items if possible.
- August 20, 2020
Support during difficult times
We understand the stress that many of you may be experiencing; the addition of the fires on top of an already difficult year has been a challenge. Please know that we want to support you as you navigate these difficult times.
- August 20, 2020
The Impact of Fires on our Community
Today my heart is with all the members of our community for the challenges we face together. At this moment I am especially concerned for those impacted by the wildfires burning in Santa Cruz County and elsewhere in Northern California.
- August 20, 2020
Impact of Fires on Instruction
While instruction in summer classes continues, we understand the fear and disturbance that sudden evacuations can cause. We encourage everyone to be flexible as you consider how to continue instruction in these challenging times
- August 20, 2020
Critical update on wildfires in Santa Cruz—preparation for potential evacuation
We continue to closely track the wildfires impacting the county of Santa Cruz and the region. At this point, there are no active fires on campus properties in Santa Cruz County. However, conditions can change rapidly and we are being vigilant in our preparations. Air quality also remains a concern throughout the area.
- August 20, 2020
Temporary cessation of non-essential on-campus research activities recommended due to poor air quality and possible fire threat
Based on the poor air quality and the potential of a campus evacuation, we recommend that all non-essential on-campus research activities cease until the air quality improves and there is more clarity on the fire threat to the campus.
- August 20, 2020
Critical update on wildfires in Santa Cruz—preparation for potential evacuation
We continue to closely track the wildfires impacting the county of Santa Cruz and the region. At this point, there are no active fires on campus properties in Santa Cruz County. However, conditions can change rapidly and we are being vigilant in our preparations. Air quality also remains a concern throughout the area.
- August 20, 2020
UC’s Lick Observatory threatened by fire
Residences on Mt. Hamilton sustained some damage, but fire crews have so far been able to protect the observatory’s telescope domes and visitor
- August 20, 2020
Coastal scientist Borja Reguero awarded Early-Career Research Fellowship
The Gulf Research Program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has awarded a 2020 Early-Career Research Fellowship to IMS researcher Borja
- August 20, 2020
Z Hacks 2020: An inclusive virtual hackathon for students
CITRIS at UCSC has been working with Santa Cruz Works, CSU Monterey Bay, and other community partners to plan an inclusive virtual hackathon for
- August 20, 2020
UC Santa Cruz Declaration of Emergency
Chancellor Cynthia Larive declared a state of emergency, ordering closed the residential campus, the Coastal Science Campus, and the Westside Research Park.
- August 20, 2020
EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION: Evacuation order -- Emergency Declaration
Based on the chancellor’s emergency declaration, ALL employees and students living in campus housing must evacuate. Everyone must immediately leave the UC Santa Cruz residential campus and be prepared to not return for at least two weeks. UC Santa Cruz Police Officers will be going door to door to evacuate those remaining on campus.
- August 19, 2020
Alaska’s salmon are getting smaller, affecting people and ecosystems
A comprehensive study of four salmon species across all regions of Alaska finds salmon are returning to rivers smaller and younger than in the
- August 19, 2020
Power outage possible tonight at UCSC locations
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. has informed UC Santa Cruz leaders that our main residential campus, Coastal Science Campus, and Westside Research Park may experience a power outage for an hour or two around 8 p.m. tonight as part of the series of rotating outages being utilized statewide to ease demand on the power grid caused by the heat wave gripping California.
- August 19, 2020
Campus Air Quality
Smoke from multiple northern California fires, including the Lightning Complex Fires in the Santa Cruz Mountains, is impacting our local air quality.
- August 19, 2020
Update on fires impacting our region
UC Santa Cruz continues to closely track the fires in Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, and neighboring counties. This event has resulted in multiple evacuations and air quality concerns.
- August 19, 2020
Additional support for employees impacted by wildfire evacuations
As fire threats continue to impact our region and Santa Cruz county, we know that many employees have been forced to evacuate from your homes. This adds stress to an already challenging time for you and your families.
- August 19, 2020
Be prepared for possible evacuation
As fire threats continue to impact our region and Santa Cruz county, we write to advise you to be prepared, should the need arise, to evacuate from the campus or be relocated elsewhere on campus as conditions change. At this point we have not been ordered to evacuate. Rather, we are asking that you take precautions and prepare should an evacuation be required. The better prepared you are the more effective a potential evacuation will be. There is nothing more important than your safety.
- August 18, 2020
Supporting campus community members impacted by evacuation orders
As many of you are aware, there are wildfires burning in the Santa Cruz County mountains. These fires have now forced Boulder Creek and neighboring residents to evacuate, and people living in other areas have been put on alert for potential evacuation in the hours ahead.
- August 17, 2020
Interim changes to systemwide Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment
Our students, faculty, and staff have a right to learn and work in an environment that’s free from sexual misconduct. We must do all we can to prevent sexual harassment and sexual violence, and also be ready to respond swiftly and effectively when we receive reports from our community.
- August 17, 2020
Possible rotating power outage from PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. announced earlier today that it may be asked to turn off power to its customers for one to two hours today through Thursday to ease demand on the state’s power grid because of the heat wave in California.
- August 14, 2020
Annual Disclosure of Systemwide Employee Compensation
As part of the university’s commitment to transparency and public accountability, including the way it compensates faculty and staff, UC is conducting its annual disclosure of systemwide employee compensation for calendar year 2019.
- August 12, 2020
UCSC historian Greg O’Malley awarded NEH grant for research on slavery in early America
UCSC history professor Gregory O’Malley has received a Public Scholars Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to write a biography of David George, who was born
- August 12, 2020
UCSC partners with CSUMB for postdoctoral training and mentorship program
A $4.2 million NIH grant to UCSC’s Institute for the Biology of Stem Cells is funding an innovative program to address underrepresentation of minorities in biomedical
- August 11, 2020
Restoring graduate student employment eligibility
Last week, representatives from University of California Office of the President, UC Santa Cruz, and UAW 2865 worked with a mediator to negotiate an agreement to allow for eligibility for re-employment of academic student employees who were dismissed for their failure to submit grades during the 2019-20 academic year.
- August 11, 2020
Issuance of state higher education guidance
Friday afternoon, the California Department of Public Health released its guidance for institutions of higher education. This information provides clarity on some of the critical mitigations that California campuses must have in place as they work to resume additional on-site operations.
- August 11, 2020
Economist's research cited in bill to strengthen federal minority business agency
When the COVID–19 pandemic hit, Professor Rob Fairlie knew he needed to shift his research to the economic impact of the
- August 11, 2020
Selfie contest supports the 2020 Census
To generate more awareness on the importance of completing the census form, campus has launched the first-ever Slugs for Census Selfie Contest.
- August 7, 2020
County, UCSC partner to expand local testing capacity
UC Santa Cruz has received CARES Act funds from Santa Cruz County to enable the purchase of new equipment for the UCSC Molecular Diagnostic
- August 7, 2020
Going with the flow—famed Ocean Explorers Summer Camp heads online
COVID-19 compelled the Seymour Marine Discovery Center to take its popular Ocean Explorers Summer Camp virtual after running the program in person for 21 years—a successful experiment that
- August 7, 2020
New flu vaccination requirement for UC students, faculty and staff
To support the health and well-being of UC students, faculty and staff and our communities, the University of California, in consultation with UC Health leadership, has issued a systemwide executive order requiring all members of the UC community to receive an influenza immunization before Nov. 1, 2020.
- August 5, 2020
UCSC linguists receive $400,000 NSF grant for research on rarely studied languages
UC Santa Cruz linguistics professors Maziar Toosarvandani, Ivy Sichel, and Matthew Wagers have been awarded a $411,058 grant from the National Science Foundation to support research on endangered
- August 5, 2020
Calcium-rich supernova examined with x-rays for first time
An international team has obtained unprecedented observations of a rare calcium-rich
- August 5, 2020
Influential marine biologist John Pearse dies at 84
A leading authority on marine invertebrates and intertidal ecology, Pearse was a beloved teacher and mentor to generations of marine
- August 4, 2020
College Nine: Embracing world cultures and developing tomorrow’s leaders
College Nine encourages students to take part in experiential learning opportunities and inspires them to become global
- August 4, 2020
COVID-19 Planning Update
I write to share the latest information on the campus COVID-19 planning efforts. I continue to be grateful to every member of our Slug community as you persist through these challenging times. You continue to support our students and the many facets of our mission and operations, while also navigating personal and family challenges and obligations.